Tsvangirai appears in public with new lover

By Caiphas Chimhete

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has appeared in public for the first time with his new lover Locadia Karimatsenga Tembo. Over a week ago, the Prime Minister, his adviser Ian Makone, Tembo and the Tsvangirai’s two children Vimbai and Edwin all attended Joyce Meyer’s Festival of Life Conference in Harare.

Tembo, who constantly whispered with Vimbai during the proceedings, was seated just behind Tsvangirai at the high table. The two were spotted stealing glances at each other during the church proceedings. The two appeared in public a few weeks after The Standard revealed their blossoming relationship.

“The fact that they are seen together after the publication of your story shows that they are determined to continue with their relationship,” said a close family friend. “They have the blessing of Tsvangirai’s children and close party members.”

Tembo is also believed to be close to the PM’s first daughter Vimbai and the two go to the same church Synagogue Church of all Nations, which is led by the famous Nigerian pastor TB Joshua. Early this year, sources said, Tsvangirai and his children together with Tembo travelled together to Dubai for a holiday.

The Standard was informed that there might be wedding bells in the not-too-distant future. The sources close to the two families said, although a date had not yet been set, it had been agreed that they would go public about the affair just before their marriage.

“Provisionally, it has been set for next year,” said one of the sources. “But this is still subject to further discussion between the families.”

He said Tsvangirai’s children were happy with the affair. Tembo, who revealed that she was on her way to South Africa, on Thursday refused to comment.

“I don’t have any comment on that. You have been writing about me without seeking my comment, so just proceed,” said Tembo.

Tsvangirai’s spokesperson James Maridadi on Thursday denied that the two were in a relationship.

“As I said before, they know each other but I can deny that they are in love,” said Maridadi. “I was not at the function. In any case, those matters (love) are private and personal and this should be respected.”

On Friday, Maridadi who was in SA with Tsvangirai confirmed that the two lovebirds were seen in public together. “The Prime Minister attended the Meyer function which was open to everybody and he was one of the 210 000 people who attended and that lady you are referring to was also among them,” said Maridadi. “The fact that they attended the same function does not speak to anything.”

Said Maridadi, “I still want to maintain that this issue is a personal and private matter and it will remain so. No-one other than the Prime Minister himself as a person is qualified to make a competent comment.”

Tembo’s sister, Zanu PF legislator for Goromonzi Biata Beatrice Nyamupinga last week became abusive when informed about the existence of pictures of the two lovebirds. “Write whatever you want. We are tired of you guys,” she said before cutting off the conversation.

Sources said Tsvangirai and Locadia first met in South Africa at the Oliver Tambo International Airport a few months ago and since then they have been seeing each other. Tembo is a wealthy commodity broker who supplies goods to several chain stores in Harare and South Africa.

Tembo, who was once married to one Ben Muchedzi, has one child Tanaka (16) from her previous marriage. MDC sources however said the marriage remains precarious as some senior Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were determined to see it collapse.

The senior officials are said to be compiling an alleged dirty dossier about Tembo which would be used to convince the MDC leader to ditch her, sources in the party said. The members want Tsvangirai to marry Leah Mhundwa, the sister of his late wife who was made a care-taker mother following the death of Susan.

Under the custom, Mhundwa is expected to take care of Tsvangirai and his children — Edwin, Garikai, Vimbai, Rumbidzai and twins Milicent and Vincent. The practice is known as kumutsa mapfihwa which literally means restoring hearth stones. In Shona when a woman dies the hearth stones in her kitchen are said to have fallen.

According to the tradition, the widower is given a young lady from his wife’s family to marry and hence restore the hearth stones. Inter-party marriages are not new in the MDC. A senior member of the MDC and Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo is married to Sithembiso Nyoni’s daughter. Nyoni is a Zanu PF politburo member and a minister in President Robert Mugabe’s government. The Zimbabwe Standard

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